AUCKLAND PRISON

Wairarapa Times-Age, 30 August 1941, Page 6

AUCKLAND PRISON

ESCAPE OF CONVICTS LAST YEAR STATEMENT BY MINISTER. NO LACK OF CARE & VIGILANCE ON PART OF STAFF. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) WELLINGTON, This Day. In the House of Representatives yesterday, before the Justice and Prisons Department estimates ■ were finally passed, the Minister in Charge of Prisons (Mr Mason) made a further reference to Dr. D. G. MacMillan’s allegation that there had been a breach of prisons routine connected with the escape of four prisoners from, the Auckland Prison early this year. Mr Mason quoted from a Wellington newspaper a report of November 20, 1940, in which it was stated that, in an interview, the then Minister in Chaige of Prisons (Dr. MacMillan) had said that the affair had been carefully investigated by the Prisons Inspector (Mr D. A. Mackintosh) who had stated that the customary routine that had been followed for the past twenty years had been observed on the evening of the escape, and that there was no lack of care and vigilance on the part of the staff. Mr Mason said the report could be summarised by the reading of the account published, which was: “No lack of vigilance of staff found." As Minister in Charge of Prisons. Mr Mason added, it was his duty to reply to any statement that might prejudice prison officers.